Mallow

Mallow is one of the oldest medicinal plants in the world and was already valued by the Chinese 5000 years ago. However, its origins go back even further, as it is even mentioned in the Bible: Moses is said to have once given a mallow tea to someone suffering from a fever. Today, this pretty plant is at home in many domestic gardens. It feels just as at home in Europe as it does in North America, North Africa and Asia and loves temperate climates. The wild mallow (Malva sylvestris) is mainly planted in this country because of its beautiful pink-purple flowers, which appear between May and September. Many garden owners are unaware that it is a true jack-of-all-trades when it comes to natural medicine and cosmetics. Mallow extract has many positive properties, which are mainly found in the flowers and leaves. The plant can also be used in the kitchen: The raw or cooked leaves have a pleasant flavour and can be used as a thickening agent in soups, for example.

The healing properties of mallow extract

If you take a closer look at the plant, you will quickly notice its slightly slimy consistency. And indeed, mallow extract is rich in valuable mucilage. These are particularly effective for internal inflammation, as they envelop the irritated mucous membranes and provide effective relief from discomfort. Whether it’s the typical burning and scratching sensation in the throat with colds, coughing, hoarseness, gastritis or heartburn, mallow extract proves helpful whenever our mucous membranes cause problems. Anyone who has eaten overly spicy food can quickly and effectively combat the burning or biting pain in the mouth and throat with mallow mucilage. It is easy to explain why this works so well: inflammatory reactions of the mucous membranes are responsible for the unpleasant pain in the throat, for example. Taking mallow extract reduces pain and swelling, reduces the release of inflammatory messenger substances and minimises the accumulation of immune cells (leukocytes) in the affected areas. In addition, the antioxidant components quickly intercept oxidative damage.

Concentrated mallow extract is also able to curb the growth of the gastritis pathogen Helicobacter pylori. Mallow is therefore the ideal supportive accompaniment to antibiotic treatment.

However, mallow extract is not only an effective and gentle solution for internal complaints, but also for skin problems in many cases.

Mallow in cosmetics

This beautiful plant with its delicate flowers is becoming increasingly popular in natural cosmetics. What’s more, in skincare lines for particularly stressed, dry and sensitive skin, it is already regarded as a secret weapon against many ailments. Here, the mucilage in the mallow extract acts as a kind of protective cover for the upper horny layer. This protective cover acts as a kind of buffer and simply absorbs heat, cold and harmful environmental influences. Irritated and inflamed skin conditions are soothed in this way, so that accompanying symptoms such as feelings of tension or redness also diminish. Mallow extract also provides the skin with valuable moisture, so that the skin remains beautifully supple and small wrinkles are plumped up as if by magic. Mature skin also benefits from the valuable ingredients of mallow. The extract gives the complexion a real boost of freshness and accelerates cell renewal.

Mallow extract can also be used for oily and blemished skin with a tendency to pimples. For example, it is ideal as part of an acne treatment and for neurodermatitis. It is also helpful and very effective in after-sun care as it soothes sun-stressed skin.

The concentration of mallow extract can vary depending on the area of application and indication, but is usually between 1.0 and 10.0 per cent.

Valuable ingredients

The mucilage content accounts for around eight to ten per cent of the dry weight. The most important mucilage substances in mallow extract include arabinose, galactose, glucose and rhamnose. Mallow extract also contains anthocyanins, which are water-soluble plant pigments that give the flowers their enchanting colour. However, anthocyanins are characterised by another advantage. They have a strong antioxidant effect and bind free radicals, thus protecting DNA. The three main anthocyanins found in mallow are malvin, malvidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-glucoside.

Other ingredients in mallow extract are tannins, proanthocyanidins (secondary plant substances), terpenoids, sterols (campesterol, stigmasterol and sitosterol), which contribute to a slight reduction in total and LDL cholesterol, phenols and coumarins (fragrances).

According to current scientific knowledge, wild mallow extract has no side effects. Hypersensitivity reactions are rather rare. In addition, no toxicological studies on mallow extract are available to date.

Profile of mallow extract

INCI: Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower Extract

CAS number: 84082-57-5

EINECS/ELINCS number: 282-003-9

Properties: anti-inflammatory, soothing, moisturising, free radical scavenger, astringent

We like to work with these mallow-based active ingredients

Mallow extract for cosmetic formulations

The ancient medicinal plant mallow is still one of the most effective helpers in the fight against harmful influences. The valuable mucilage forms a veritable buffer that protects, soothes and softens the skin. As the extract is also very well tolerated and suitable for sensitive skin, it is ideal for a wide range of cosmetic formulations. These can be rich creams, but also lotions or a skin care balm. We are happy to support you in developing suitable formulations and recipes.

Literature:

The phytochemical profiling, pharmacological activities, and safety of malvasylvestris: a review.

Batiha GE, Tene ST, Teibo JO, Shaheen HM, Oluwatoba OS, Teibo TKA, Al-Kuraishy HM, Al-Garbee AI, Alexiou A, Papadakis M.Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2023 Mar;396(3):421-440

Modulation of the bacterial virulence and resistance by well-known European medicinal herbs.

Křížkovská B, Hoang L, Brdová D, Klementová K, Szemerédi N, Loučková A, Kronusová O, Spengler G, Kaštánek P, Hajšlová J, Viktorová J, Lipov J.J Ethnopharmacol. 2023 Aug 10;312:116484

Antibiofilm and anti-caries effects of an experimental mouth rinse containing Matricaria chamomilla L. extract under microcosm biofilm on enamel.

Braga AS, Simas LLM, Pires JG, Souza BM, de Melo FPSR, Saldanha LL, Dokkedal AL, Magalhães AC.J Dent. 2020 Aug;99:103415